CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Building Uplifted Families, a community collaboration between Renaissance West Community Initiative, Novant Health, Carolinas HealthCare System, UNC Charlotte, and Mecklenburg County Public Health, has been awarded a $250,000 BUILD Health Challenge grant to improve the health and overall well-being of Renaissance West residents and neighbors along Charlotte’s West Boulevard corridor.

This BUILD Health Challenge grant, with matching funds from Novant Health and Carolinas HealthCare System, will be led by William “Mack” McDonald, chief executive officer of the Renaissance West Community Initiative, Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown, senior vice president for community wellness & education at Novant Health, Dr. Alisahah Cole, system medical director for community health at Carolinas HealthCare System, and Dr. Michael Dulin, director of The Academy for Population Health Innovation.

“Renaissance West Community Initiative is excited to work alongside Carolinas HealthCare System, Novant Health, the Mecklenburg County Health Department, and other community partners to bring this transformative approach to community revitalization,” says McDonald. “Building Uplifted Families will allow us to reach more children and families as they work to improve their situations and prospects for future success. This is truly a life changer for so many of our neighbors.”